The most prominent feature of the Roman Catholicism of Japan, was its political animus and complexion.  In writings of this era, Japanese historians treat of the Christian missionary movement less as something religious, and more as that which influenced government and polities, rather than society on its moral side.  So also, the impartial historian must consider that, on the whole, despite the individual instances of holy lives and unselfish purposes, the work of the Portuguese and Spanish friars and “fathers” was, in the main, an attempt to bring Japan more or less directly within the power of the Pope or of those rulers called Most Catholic Majesties, Christian Kings, etc., even as they had already brought Mexico, South America, and large portions of India under the same control.  The words of Jesus before the Roman procurator had not been apprehended:—­“My kingdom is not of this world.”

CHAPTER XII — TWO CENTURIES OF SILENCE

“The frog in the well knows not the great ocean”
—­Sanskrit and Japanese Proverb.

“When the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch.” 
—­Japanese Proverb.

“The little island of Deshima, well and prophetically signifying Fore-Island, was Japan’s window, through which she looked at the whole Occident ...  We are under obligation to Holland for the arts of engineering, mining, pharmacy, astronomy, and medicine ...  ‘Rangaku’ (i.e., Dutch learning) passed almost as a synonym for medicine,” [1615-1868].—­Inazo Nitobe.

“The great peace, of which we are so proud, was more like the
stillness of stagnant pools than the calm surface of a clear
lake.”—­Mitsukuri.

“The ancestral policy of self-contentment must be done away with.  If it was adopted by your forefathers, because it was wise in their time, why not adopt a new policy if it in sure to prove wise in your time.”—­Sakuma Shozan, wrote in 1841, assassinated 1864.

    “And slowly floating onward go
    Those Black Ships, wave-tossed to and fro.” 
                        —­Japanese Ballad of the Black Ship, 1845.

    “The next day was Sunday (July 10th), and, as usual, divine
    service was held on board the ships, and, in accordance with
    proper reverence for the day, no communication was held with the
    Japanese authorities.” 
        —­Perry’s Narrative.

    “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
    Praise Him, all creatures here below,
    Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
    Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” 
        —­Sung on U.S.S.S.  Mississippi, in Yedo Bay, July 10, 1853.

“I refuse to see anyone on Sunday, I am resolved to set an example of a proper observance of the Sabbath ...  I will try to make it what I believe it was intended to be—­a day of rest.”—­Townsend Harris’s Diary, Sunday, August 31, 1856.

    “I have called thee by thy name.  I have surnamed thee, though
    thou hast not known me.  I am the LORD, and there is none else;
    besides me there is no God.”—­Isaiah.